At Issue: Capitol Gun Debate, Medical Study Scrutiny

Updated: 12/03/2013 11:26 AM KSTP.com
By: Heidi Enninga

In this week's edition of At Issue, host Tom Hauser takes an in-depth look at the local political issues that affect you.

Minnesota is one of about a dozen states that allows guns in its state capitol. Although that isn’t going to change anytime soon, new recommendations from a capitol security committee will be sent to the legislature in January.

The committee said it won’t recommend installing metal detectors, but will develop new guidelines for permit carrying gun owners to indicate when they plan to bring guns into the capitol complex.

Minnesota’s online health care exchange reported that 30,000 people might have received the wrong information about their eligibility for health programs or tax credits. MNsure said it is working on the glitch and double-checking all of the accounts.

The back and forth over property tax is starting again even before the new levies are locked in. The legislature increased government aid in hopes cities and counties would cut property taxes this week, but Republicans said poll data shows only 11 cities plan to make the cuts. Local officials will set final levies Dec. 7.

Tuesday is groundbreaking day for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium. The celebration will take place after years and months of planning and is expected to conclude in 2016.

In Political Analysis, Republican strategist Ben Golnik and former DFL House Minority Leader Matt Entenza join host Tom Hauser to discuss the political future for Duluth Mayor Don Ness, developments in the capitol gun debate, and prospects for property tax increases in the state.

One former journalist is calling on the media to use more discretion when reporting on medical studies. Gary Schwitzer publishes a website called healthnewsreview.org and said journalists need to scrutinize the size, scope and funding for studies before reporting on them.

In Face off, former DFL state Sen. Don Betzold and Sen. Coleman’s former press secretary Andy Brehm are in the studio to discuss a future of the political makeup locally and nationally.